Canadian and using debit

[mamabear0222]

I dont want to bring a big amount of cash with me but surcharges from credit cards annoy me lol (as do bank machine surcharges!)

Does anyone use their debit??? What about cash back locations? I forget what the max amount is for cash back ... I'd go to a bank machine but my bank is part of the accel network for no surcharges but I can't find an ATM locator online since they removed it this year!

 

[BijouBabe]

When I was down in the states over the summer I learned that you can't use a regular Canadian debit card, it has to be a visa debit style card in order for it to work. I couldn't even take money out of an ATM, so you may want to phone your bank and inquire about that. I am taking cash with me on this trip and will have some emergency funds on my CC. It was embarassing having to borrow money from my parents when we were shopping because I had no idea about the debit card situation and my CC was back here in Canada.

 

[webworm]

I use my debit visa card whenever I travel to the US. Very convenient and if you want cash back just do it at a major chain like walmart for example when shopping.

 

[vacation_junkie]

I dont want to bring a big amount of cash with me but surcharges from credit cards annoy me lol (as do bank machine surcharges!)

Does anyone use their debit??? What about cash back locations? I forget what the max amount is for cash back ... I'd go to a bank machine but my bank is part of the accel network for no surcharges but I can't find an ATM locator online since they removed it this year!

Unless your bank excluded you from it...There is usually a minimal conversion fee added to all Canadian debit card purchases made in the US. Its generally 250 basis points to the interbank U.S. dollar exchange rate. pretty much the same as the fee on a credit card.

 

[Skjhjb]

This doesn't help the credit card fee pert, but we took a notebook computer with us last time, and made all purchases via credit card. Then we would sign on to our online banking each evening and transfer the money spent that day over to the visa so we didn't carry a balance.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

You could also speak with your bank to find out if your card is compatible with the US bank networks.

 

[mamabear0222]

Yes my card is compatible. ...it'll be finding machines down there with no surcharges. ..I dont have bank fees on this end.

Sent from my Samsung S3 using DISBoards

 

[formill]

We had a friend with us a few years ago and she used her regular debit card and paid at Aeropostale in Florida with no problems. Every time I try with mine-the last time was at Famous Footwear in Buffalo it does not work- we are with President's Choice though and they seem to be the last to do some things-can't use them for interac online here either at places like the source. Here is an article to read http://www.nyce.net/consumers/canadian/

We have a couple of credit cards now that do not charge any extra (above the exchange) to use in the states. Mostly we just use cash though and go to bank machines and just pay the fee.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I think a lot of it has to do with what banking networks your bank works with. In canada I think we just have the one where as in the states they have multiple networks. Just like they have multiple small banks whereas all of our banks are large and nation wide.

 

[cjbcam]

When I was down in the states over the summer I learned that you can't use a regular Canadian debit card, it has to be a visa debit style card in order for it to work. I couldn't even take money out of an ATM, so you may want to phone your bank and inquire about that. I am taking cash with me on this trip and will have some emergency funds on my CC. It was embarassing having to borrow money from my parents when we were shopping because I had no idea about the debit card situation and my CC was back here in Canada.

I was down in the states and tried taking money out of the ATM machine and it wouldn't let me. I called my bank and they said you can only take money out of machines that have a certain symbol on them. I couldn't take money out of the target ones because they didnt have the symbol but I could at the cabella ones because they did.

 

[ilovecats]

I was considering buying a visa gift card when I get to the states for just this use because I don't want to get stuck depending on unreliable debit. Has anyone tried these? Do they have a cash back option?

I don't want to be carrying around a huge amount of money. My bank kind of sucks and they don't have visa-debits.

 

[bankr63]

If you are a TD Customer, rest assured that TD is now one of the largest US banks as well. They have quite a few ATMs in the Orlando area that will accept your TD Debit card. These are treated as native transactions by TD (no fees except conversion). You can find the ATMs using the TD US website http://www.tdbank.com/net/absearch/

If your card has the "Plus" network symbol on the back you should be good at many US bank locations. We've had no problems using our card at the SunTrust locations in and around Disney (when I'm too lazy to drive to a TD branch). TD has gone to Visa debit cards, but mine is still the old non-network card.

Mostly though we use our Amazon.ca Visa for as many purchases as possible as they don't charge any interchange fee on US. That's a 2.5% savings on everything we spend, even over using cash. And they give you cash back on purchases as well! There are a couple of other Chase Canada cards with the same no US exchange; most notably the Sears Mastercard and I think their Marriott cards.